Yun Jingshan’s eyes widened, a mix of fury and shock flooding her expression.
How dare she publicly harm her own sister!
She… she didn’t even care about her own reputation!
Yun Jingshan tried to speak, but her lips trembled uncontrollably, unable to form words. In the end, overwhelmed by pain and terror, she fainted.
Immediately after, screams erupted from different voices.
“Ah—!”
“G-Grand Princess…!”
“…”
These noble young ladies had never witnessed such a scene before. Several of them fainted on the spot.
Shen Yazhi kept her eyes closed, having roughly guessed what had happened. Her face paled slightly, and she decided it was best to keep her eyes shut for now.
“Liu’s daughter, come here.” Yun Chaorong beckoned to Liu Ruixin.
Liu Ruixin was one of the few who remained relatively composed, though her steps were somewhat unsteady.
“Your subject, Liu Ruixin, is here.”
“Is there anything else you’re unclear about or wish to ask?”
Liu Ruixin actually took a moment to think before replying, “No.”
By this point, she understood. Yun Jingshan had provoked the Grand Princess, then deliberately fell from her horse and twisted her ankle to draw attention, intending to put the Grand Princess in a disadvantageous position.
And the Grand Princess’s retaliation was… to directly shatter Yun Jingshan’s foot bone.
“You’re one of the few with a clear mind.”
Yun Chaorong patted Liu Ruixin’s shoulder, only belatedly realizing that her right hand was stained with quite a bit of blood, which she had smeared onto the other’s clothes.
“My apologies. I’ll have a new set of clothes sent to you later.”
Liu Ruixin swallowed hard. “I dare not trouble Your Highness.”
Yun Chaorong swept her gaze around the crowd. “Today’s events—you all saw them. From now on, if anyone dares to gossip or bring Xie Nanzhu before me to cause trouble, this will be their fate!”
“Yes, Grand Princess!”
“Understood!”
“Your subject obeys!”
…………
Within days, the incident at the horse grounds had spread far and wide. Reactions varied among those who heard about it.
Some praised Princess Rongyang for her devotion to family and country, her courage to love and hate, no less spirited than any passionate man.
Others despised Princess Rongyang for her ruthless actions and lack of virtue.
At Linhua Palace, after hearing about the incident, everyone worked even harder.
Imperial Consort Li even felt a sense of relief, grateful that she hadn’t continued to stir trouble in front of Yun Chaorong.
Yun Chaorong paid no mind to these matters, comfortably going about her business as usual.
When the Emperor heard some of the rumors, he summoned Yun Chaorong to question her.
After Yun Chaorong explained the details, the Emperor immediately ordered Yun Jingshan’s title of County Princess to be revoked.
“How dare she set her sights on Rong’er? She has some nerve.
However, Rong’er, if something like this happens again in the future, let your father handle it. Taking matters into your own hands damages your reputation.”
“Father, did you care about reputation when you were young?”
“No.”
“Then your daughter doesn’t care either.”
“But you are a young lady.”
“I am still Father’s most cherished daughter. What is there to fear?”
“…”
Yun Chaorong felt that things around her had become much more agreeable.
Setting aside the trivial matters on her mind for the time being, she had a small canopy set up in the garden, brought out a rocking chair, and reclined in the late summer afternoon.
Yingxia fanned Yun Chaorong, her face flushing bright red when she caught sight of the book in Yun Chaorong’s hands.
The xx Pleasures of a Sick Beauty
Yingxia had accidentally glimpsed a bit of it before. It told the story of a frail and beautiful male courtesan, drifting through the world of pleasure.
Yun Chaorong devoured the knowledge from the book with great hunger.
“So it can be done like this and that…”
“I’ve learned something new…”
“Oh, oh, this… this taste isn’t bad either.”
Yun Chaorong marveled at how open the folk customs of Da Yu were, producing such astonishing works.
It truly suited her taste!
She felt she was only one sick beauty away from putting her plans into practice.
Yun Chaorong was enjoying a rare moment of leisure when Michun came to report:
“Your Highness, Prince Rui’s residence has sent you a message.”
“Isn’t my imperial brother away on campaign?”
“Prince Rui has indeed left the capital, but his steward remains at the residence. Imperial Physician Li went to the prince’s residence to report something, and the servants couldn’t decide what to do. With Prince Rui absent, they reported it to you.”
Yun Chaorong flipped through a storybook, her mind elsewhere. “Imperial Physician Li? Wasn’t it Royal Physician Wang who treated me before?”
“You’ve forgotten—Prince Rui once sent Imperial Physician Li to the Duke of Yu’s residence to help the second young master recuperate. Now something has happened at the Duke of Yu’s residence.”
Yun Chaorong recalled that fleeting glimpse from that day. She tossed the storybook aside and straightened up:
“Is Su Jingyuan unwell again?”
Oh no! Please don’t tell me he’s already passed away!
“Second Young Master Su was originally recovering well, but recently he fell seriously ill again. Moreover, the Duke’s residence actually barred Imperial Physician Li from entering.”
“Why?”
“They said Second Young Master Su is too ill to see anyone, so the servants are keeping everyone out.”
Yun Chaorong sensed something odd. Recalling the plot in the original book where several characters fell ill and died one after another, she felt this wasn’t so simple.
“Michun, go make preparations. I’m leaving the palace.”
“Your Highness, where are you going?”
“The Duke of Yu’s residence.”
Michun went to order the carriage prepared, while Yingxia led others in helping the princess change and groom.
Nanny Yu, unaware of Yun Chaorong’s previous rescue of Su Jingyuan, asked in confusion:
“What does it matter if the young master of the Duke of Yu’s residence is seriously ill? Why must Your Highness visit personally? What if you catch his illness?”
Yun Chaorong thought: Isn’t it obvious? Of course, it’s because his beauty is captivating!
Thinking of the storybook scenarios with a sick beauty… Yun Chaorong told herself she had already lost her harem; she couldn’t afford to miss out on another beauty!
But she certainly couldn’t say that to Nanny Yu, or the nanny would nag her to death.
Yun Chaorong put on a serious expression: “That’s someone my imperial brother saved. Naturally, I must take it seriously and look after him on his behalf.”
Yingxia clenched her teeth, holding back words that nearly escaped.
After Yun Chaorong finished dressing and grooming, she rode in the carriage all the way to the Duke of Yu’s residence.
Upon arrival, Michun stepped down first to knock on the door. A gatekeeper opened a small side door and peeked out:
“Who’s knocking?”
Michun replied with dignified composure: “Princess Rongyang has arrived. You must quickly prepare to receive Her Highness.”
“Your Ladyship, please wait a moment. This humble servant will go inform the Duke and Old Madam.”
The gatekeeper slammed the small door shut and scurried off toward the inner courtyard.
Michun frowned, dust having been kicked up into her face.
Why are the servants of the Duke of Yu’s residence so careless? How does the master manage the household?
Fortunately, they didn’t have to wait long before footsteps approached.
The main gate of the Duke’s residence creaked open.
Su Mingyuan and Old Madam Su, accompanied by servants, hurriedly paid their respects to the princess, looking somewhat flustered.
“Your subject pays respects to Princess Rongyang.”
“This old woman pays respects to Princess Rongyang.”
Only then did Yun Chaorong, assisted by Yingxia, step down from the carriage.
That day, she wore a pale blue veil hat paired with a cyan dress—a refreshing touch of coolness in the golden summer.
“Duke of Yu, Old Madam, please rise.”
Yun Chaorong observed the two and noticed both mother and son looked pale and sallow, appearing rather unwell.
Is the whole family ill?
Su Mingyuan and Old Madam Su rose, not daring to look directly at Yun Chaorong.
Their minds were filled with countless questions, wondering why Princess Rongyang had come to their door.
Su Mingyuan: “May I ask what brings Your Highness here today?”
Yun Chaorong’s voice was clear and melodious: “Nothing in particular. I came to your residence to visit the Second Young Master.”
Su Mingyuan and Old Madam Su exchanged a glance, their expressions stiffening simultaneously.